Meijer faces backlash over viral arrest video of employee at Seven Hills store

SEVEN HILLS, Ohio — The Meijer supermarket chain is facing backlash for a video that shows police arresting a Northeast Ohio store employee accused of stealing.

The incident in Seven Hills happened March 7, 2024, but the footage is gaining traction now, with social media users on platforms like TikTok and X using hashtags like #JusticeForJames and #BoycottMeijer.

Much of the public outcry surrounds speculation that the arrested employee, identified as James in the viral video, is autistic or has a disability. Internet users argue the store managers handled the situation inappropriately.

3News looked into the incident and discovered the employee was 19 at the time of the theft, and not 16 as many social media accounts claim.

According to the Seven Hills police report obtained by 3News